Machine Learning Applications for the Development of a Questionnaire to Identify Sasang Constitution Typology.

Sasang constitutional medicine emphasizes personalized disease prevention and treatment and has been used in various fields. Nevertheless, more efforts are required to improve the validity and reliability of the Sasang analysis tools. Hence, this study aimed to (1) identify key constructs and measurement items of the Sasang constitution questionnaire that characterize different Sasang constitutions and (2) investigate the similarities and differences in pathophysiological and personality traits between Sasang constitutions. The results of the Sasang constitution questionnaire were analyzed using multiple machine learning-based approaches, including feature selection, hierarchical clustering analysis, and multiple correspondence analysis. The selected 47 key measurement items were clustered into six groups based on the similarity measures. The findings of this study are expected to be beneficial for future research on the development of more robust and reliable Sasang conservation questionnaires, allowing Sasang constitutional medicine to be more widely implemented in various sectors.

Biogenic amine production of makgeollis with controlled alcohol concentrations.

In this study, we examined the effects of controlling the alcohol concentration of non-sterilized makgeolli on the levels of biogenic amines (BAs) as an indicator of hygiene. Makgeollis were prepared at four different alcohol concentrations (5.73-13.17%) and stored at 20 °C for 30 days. Makgeollis with low alcohol contents (5.73-8.07%) showed significant variations in alcohol and BA concentrations, volatile acid contents, pH, total acidity, and lactic acid bacteria counts under these conditions. In contrast, makgeollis with alcohol contents of 11.47% or more showed no significant changes. In low-alcohol makgeollis, the produced BA was mostly tyramine, which increased dramatically on day 20 of storage in makgeolli containing 5.73% alcohol and on day 30 in makgeolli containing 8.07% alcohol. These results indicated that makgeolli could be stored for long periods at high temperatures, such as those during summer, by controlling the alcohol concentration.

Simple method to estimate daily sodium intake during measurement of dialysis adequacy in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Restriction of dietary sodium intake for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is recommended, but there is limited information on the measurement and monitoring of sodium intake. We have developed a simple method to estimate daily sodium intake during the measurement of dialysis adequacy in PD patients. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A total of 83 PD patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on residual renal function (RRF). We measured total sodium removal and estimated daily sodium intake using dietary recall for one day, during the assessment of dialysis adequacy. RESULTS: There were 39 patients in the RRF(-) group and 44 in the RRF(+) group. In both groups, and all patients, there were significant positive correlations between sodium intake and total sodium removal: RRF(-) group, r=0.598; RRF(+) group, r=0.577; total patients, r=0.595. There were linear relationships between dietary sodium intake and total sodium removal in both groups: RRF(-) group, sodium intake (mg/d) = 19.3 × peritoneal sodium removal (mEq/d) + 211;RRF(+) group, sodium intake (mg/d) = 15.4 × total sodium removal (mEq/d) + 609. All PD patients, sodium intake (mg/d) = 15.6 × total sodium removal (mEq/d) + 646. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of total sodium removal during the assessment of dialysis adequacy could be an effective and simple method to estimate dietary sodium intake in PD patients. A dietary intake of 2,000 mg of sodium corresponds to a total sodium removal of approximately 87 mEq/d.

White blood cell DNA methylation and risk of breast cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO).

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested that global DNA methylation in circulating white blood cells (WBC) is associated with breast cancer risk. METHODS: To address conflicting results and concerns that the findings for WBC DNA methylation in some prior studies may reflect disease effects, we evaluated the relationship between global levels of WBC DNA methylation in white blood cells and breast cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO) cohort. A total of 428 invasive breast cancer cases and 419 controls, frequency matched on age at entry (55-59, 60-64, 65-69, ≥70 years), year of entry (on/before September 30, 1997, on/after October 1, 1997) and period of DNA extraction (previously extracted, newly extracted) were included. The ratio of 5-methyl-2' deoxycytidine [5-mdC] to 2'-deoxyguanine [dG], assuming [dG] = [5-mdC] + [2'-deoxycytidine [dC]] (%5-mdC), was determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry, an especially accurate method for assessing total genomic DNA methylation. RESULTS: Odds ratio (OR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breast cancer risk adjusted for age at entry, year of entry, and period of DNA extraction, were 1.0 (referent), 0.89 (95% CI, 0.6-1.3), 0.88 (95% CI, 0.6-1.3), and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.6-1.2) for women in the highest compared to lowest quartile levels of %5md-C (p for trend = .39). Effects did not meaningfully vary by time elapsed from WBC collection to diagnosis. DISCUSSION: These results do not support the hypothesis that global DNA hypomethylation in WBC DNA is associated with increased breast cancer risk prior to the appearance of clinical disease.

Effects of storage temperature and time on the biogenic amine content and microflora in Korean turbid rice wine, Makgeolli.

We examined biogenic amine (BA) content and the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population in Korean rice wine, Makgeolli, stored at 4 and 20°C. Among 8 BAs examined by HPLC, only putrescine was detected in low levels during 30days of storage at 4°C. However, at 20°C, several BAs were detected and total BA concentration increased during storage. The numbers of LAB in 4°C Makgeolli remained constant while those in 20°C Makgeolli were markedly changed. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis shows the major LAB population in 4°C Makgeolli to be Pediococcus acidilactici while that in 20°C Makgeolli to be Lactobacillus plantarum, which has been known to produce BAs. The present study suggests that if Makgeolli is stored at an improper temperature, the diversity of LAB populations and BA formation can be markedly increased. Thus, low temperature storage and transport of the products are required to maintain a BA-free state.

Comparison of Korean and European women professional golfers' training time and perceptions of ideal training time.

The purpose of this study was to compare Korean and European female professional golfer's reported practice hours and their different understandings about golf training. 55 Korean and 21 European female professional golfers were asked questions about average actual practice days per week, average actual practice hours per day, ideal practice days per week, and ideal practice hours per day. All the women participated in the Korean Female Masters Golf Tournament at the Korean Cyprus Golf course from 6-8 November in 2009. Korean female professional golfers reported practicing more hours, but both the Korean and European golfers reported actually practicing more hours than their ideal practice hours.